The Stranger

Today’s discussion got me thinking more about Meursalt being deemed inhumane because he is an individual and doesn’t follow traditional institutions. One thing that sets him apart is the fact that he simply allows things to happen to him and he doesn't try to go against his fate. He doesn't regret what he did and he doesn't spend a lot of time pondering what will happen next. One of my favorite quotes in the book was when he met with the magistrate and he says "On my way out I was even going to shake his hand, but just in time, I remembered that I had killed a man." I love that quote because he doesn't seemed fazed at all about the fact that he is in prison and killed a man. He wanted to shake his hand because, for a bit, he simply forgot the fact that he killed someone and was about the be tried.

I also think it's interesting how he talks with Marie. She asks if he loves her, and he just says no, but that it probably meant nothing. He even agrees to marry her, but just because she wants to, not because he loves her. I wonder why he doesn't feel like he loves her, even though he shows clear signs of love. This shows again how he just lets things happen, and doesn't think too much into things or what's going to happen.